Lawmakers advance new name for state energy agency

Published 5:44 pm, Thursday, May 2, 2013

AUSTIN — Seeking to clarify the mission of the agency that primarily regulates the oil industry, lawmakers on Thursday approved a name change for the Texas Railroad Commission.

Under a bill unanimously approved by the Texas Senate, it would become the Texas Energy Resources Commission.

Founded in 1891 to regulate the railroads, the agency quickly extended its powers amid the big oil discoveries of the early twentieth century. It has become a powerful national force influencing oil supplies and prices.

Last year, in a review of the agency’s work, state analysts from the Sunset Advisory Commission reported significant new challenges on the horizon with the expansion of the drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing. They included complex matters of safety, pollution and the potential for damage to state infrastructure. But they opened their report with a more pedestrian issue.

“Despite its misleading name, the Railroad Commission of Texas regulates the state’s oil and gas industry and has nothing to do with railroads,” the analysts wrote. “The clarity of its name matters now more than ever as the Commission’s job takes center stage in overseeing an unprecedented expansion of oil and natural gas drilling in the state.”

While the bill would also give the commission new powers to charge fees and enforce regulations, senators also seemed more concerned with the name issue.

Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, offered an amendment that would have changed the name to the Texas Energy Commission.

“I think it’s shorter and cleaner,” he said.

But he withdrew his amendment, deferring to a different name idea from Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, who suggested the Texas Department of Oil and Gas.

After a series of closely contested votes, during which the chamber grew uncharacteristically quiet, Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, managed to win the day on behalf of his favored name.

The proposal still must gain the approval of the House.

The new name, Nichols wrote in a bill analysis, should reduce confusion among voters.

PERSONAL EMAILS, TEXTS WIN PRIVACY IN HOUSE VOTE

Texas employers could not compel workers to reveal personal text messages or hand over email passwords under a bill given preliminary approval Thursday in a divided House vote.

Democratic state Rep. Helen Giddings said her measure gives Texas workers the same social media protections provided in several other states. The bill prohibits employers from asking job applicants or employees for passwords to access their Facebook, Twitter or other personal accounts.

Yet the case to strengthen personal privacy in the office was not enough to win over every lawmaker.

State Rep. Jason Villalba led the opposition to the bill, which the Dallas Republican said would provide “safe harbor” for employees to steal proprietary information at the workplace through their personal accounts.

Republican Larry Phillips also tried derailing the measure, which he called a disincentive for companies to do business in the state. The Texas Association of Business and banking lobbyists are among those who opposed the bill.

“This will crush technology throughout the state of Texas,” Villalba said.

The bill passed 79-61. It still needs final clearance in the House before moving to the Senate.

No specific penalties are spelled out for employers who would violate the law. Giddings said her bill simply catches up with the times, and tea party members of the House came to her defense, saying they applauded the protection of constitutional rights to privacy.

LAWMAKERS ADVANCE REFUNDS FOR SOLAR ENERGY

Utility companies would have to compensate customers who generate surplus power under a proposal advancing in the Texas Legislature.

In a unanimous vote on Thursday, the Senate Business and Commerce Committee approved SB 1239. It still must pass the full Senate and the House.

Excess power generated by businesses and homeowners who install rooftop solar panels flows back to the grid. Under current law, customers can negotiate with their power companies for compensation.

The bill would require utilities to pay customers market rate prices for the surplus electricity. El Paso Democratic Sen. Jose Rodriguez said his proposal would help Texans invest in renewable energy at a time when supplies are expected to be constrained.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The Jimmy Buffet concert has been postponed until tomorrow night because of high winds. That means we can work late tonight, but we can’t work late tomorrow night.” — Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, commenting on the large number of routine bills the Texas House has pending.